EDGE UP

Results

Across Estonia and Latvia, 24 full training cycles were delivered; the project engaged a total of 326 individuals with a refugee background, 270 people finished all 5 modules of the training: 
• Estonia (ERC): 144 participants in 12 training groups
• Latvia (SSH): 126 participants in 12 training groups

Participants came from over 18 countries, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Belarus, Nigeria, Senegal, Congo, and Tajikistan. They represented a wide range of educational backgrounds, life experiences, and stages of
displacement. All participants completed a comprehensive 5-day training program covering:
• Practical job search skills (CV, cover letter, digital tools)
• Career planning and goal setting
• Legal knowledge (labor laws and rights)
• Psychological support and self-confidence building
• Interview techniques and self-presentation

The project achieved significant improvements in the employment readiness of participants. In Estonia, where structured before-and-after assessments were
implemented, the following average skill improvements (on a scale of 1 to 5) were recorded:
• Job search skills: +1.24
• CV and motivation letter writing: +1.31 (highest gain)
• Legal knowledge of the labor market: +1.20
• Confidence in job interviews: +1.10
• Career goal definition: +1.03
• Psychological resilience and stress management: +0.47
• Motivation and self-belief: +0.57

In Latvia, several participants applied their new skills immediately — preparing CVs and motivation letters for the first time and submitting them to real job openings. Others reported a shift in mindset: understanding their rights empowered them to avoid
exploitative employers and protect their peers.

The program did not only prepare participants for the labor market — it moved many from an inactive status to active engagement with employment systems and future planning. The result was a transformation not just in skills, but in participants’ sense of agency, belonging, and opportunity.

Other positive, although unexpected results of this project include:

1. Emotional Empowerment and Psychological Readiness
Participants reported feeling “seen,” “respected,” and “capable” for the first time since arriving in their host countries. For many — especially women — the psychosocial component was described as transformative. One Ukrainian participant said the training helped her believe she could lead her own business, and she has since begun that process.
2. Peer-to-Peer Impact
Informal networks emerged. Participants from different ethnic and linguistic groups stayed in contact via Telegram and Facebook, continuing to support each other after the training. In Latvia, some began helping fellow asylum seekers navigate job offers and protect themselves from exploitation.
3. Trainer Capacity-Building
Trainers and support staff enhanced their capacity to deliver culturally adapted content in multilingual, trauma-informed environments. The experience strengthened the institutional readiness of both partners to serve refugee populations more effectively.
4. Institutional Relationships
The project catalyzed stronger connections between NGOs and state institutions — including the Latvian SEA, and various municipal support centers.

Here is the description of the training content and access to the training materials: D1.3.3 Training materials adjusted to the target group’s needs